Still Casting Shadows

Abstract

"Still Casting Shadows: A Shared Mosaic of U.S. History" breaks with tradition by presenting a holistic (rather than a white-centric and politician-dominated) portrayal of American History. It begins with the arrival of the "Puritans" at Plymouth, Massachusetts, and follows the descendants of two Mayflower passengers, John Howland and Elizabeth (Tilley) Howland, forward to the present day.

Along the way, events as wide-ranging as colonial-era Indian battles, the defense of Little Round Top at Gettysburg during the Civil War, a devastating ambush in Vietnam, and a heroic deed by a California Highway Patrol officer are examined from the personal perspective of those on the scene.

Much more than simply a volume of family history, "Still Casting Shadows" is a concise outline of American history. As such, it includes hundreds of short chapters that cover upwards of a thousand events of national import. Each chapter begins with striking quotations that illuminate the events being discussed.